Rotary soil tiller



Nov. 12, 1940. H, J, SEAMAN .2,221,221

ROTARY SOIL TILLER Filed Aug. 25, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l /NVEN TOR HARRYJ SEA/wmvA 67266 l MQ@ ATTORNEY Nov. 12, 1940. H..J. sEAMAN ROTARY soIL TILLER 2 shets-sheet 2 Filed Aug. 25, 1939 FIG. 6

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TORNEY 20 with the invention;

2 Patented Nov. 12, 1940 v PATENT OFFICE 2,221,221 l no'rAnv son. man

Harry J. Seaman, Milwaukee, Wis. appummnraugust 2s,1ss9,sria1N.291,ss1

13 claims. (ci. av-21s) This invention relates to rotary `soil tillers and the like and more particularly to the rotary tools thereof and their mountings.

An object of the invention is to provide simple, durable and inexpensive means for mounting soil-working tools on a rotary shaft.

Another object of the invention is to provide a -tool mounting which is. easily and quickly assembled, and which will facilitate attachment and replacement of the tools.

The invention further consists in the' several features hereinafter described and claimed.

'Ihis application-constitutes a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 189,058, iiled February 7, 1938.

In -the accompanying drawings, illustrating certain embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of a soil tiller provided with tool mountings constructed in accordance Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of the tool mounnngs, a driving shaft thereof being shown in transverse section along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional elevation of the tool firmly I In the present instance,

Adriving or'tiller shaft 41 is rotatably mounted in the housing 28 -and projects from opposite sides thereof, the shaft extending transversely ofthe direction of travel ofthe machine. The shaft carries thereon a plurality of tilling or soil-work- 5 ing units or devices mounted in accordance with the invention.

In that form ofy the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5, each tilling unit comprises a pair of soilrworking or cultivating tools hereshown in the' form of diametrically opposite hooked tines or teeth 53 which have looped inner ends 54- firmly but detachably mounted in a well-known manner on the looped outer portions of respective ,coiled springs 55. Each spring 55has a pair of parallel inner-ends or shanks 55 secured to an associated mounting member or holder carried on the shaft. the mounting members are' of three types, designated 51a, 51h, and 51o, and are arranged in diametrically opposite pairs. Each mounting member has a semi-cylindrical opening or channel 58, Fig. 5, forming a seat to .fit on the shaft and has a pair of parallel bores 59 at opposite sides extending transversely of the loan g5 mounting, taken transversely of the shaft; channel to receive clamping bolts 6D by which a Fig. 4 is a detail sectional elevationrof another. pair of opposed mounting members are rigidly of the tool mountings, taken longitudinally of clamped to the shaft. Each pair of mounting the Shaft; members are held against relative rotation on the Fig. 5 is aperspective view of aholder or carrier shaft -by a key 6| which is seated in the shaft of one of the tool moimtings; and which nts in grooves or rabbets 6 2 formed in 30 Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of a soil tiller provided the mounting members along the edges of the with tool mountings of a modified form: semi-cylindrical channels 58. l

Fig. '7 is a side elevation of .one o f the tool The outer face of each mounting member is mountings of Fig. 6, the driving shaft thereof provided with a pair of transversely extending being shown in transverse section along the line parallel V-grooves 63 to form seats to receive the 35 1-1 of Fig- 6: spring ends or shanks 56 which are held therein Fig. 8 is a detail elevation of the tool mounting by an apertured clamping plate 64 secured in of Fig. 7, parts being broken away and parts place by one of the-bolts 60. Each bolt passes being ShOWn in SeCiQr1 through the opposed clamping members and Fig. 9 is a detail sectional elevation ofthe tool through one of the clamping plates. If desired, a 40 mounting of Figs. 'l ands, taken generallyalong side vedge of the plate 64 may be hooked as indi- 1 the line S-B of Fig. 8; cated at, 65 in Fig. 4. \The mounting members Fig. 10 is a detail sectionalelevation of the tool 51a. which are nearest the gear housing 28, have mounting, taken generally along the line it-ll their grooves 63 at different distances from the of Fig. 9;- axis of the shaft, the groove farther from the 45,

Fig. 11 is a view of the inner face of one of the hgusmg being also farther from .this axis, as in'- mountins members or holders-of the toolv mountdicated 1n Figs.- 1 and 4, to cause the tines 53 to l i project toward and overhang the gear housing, Fig. 12 is a view of the outer face of the mount whereby to till 'the soil under the housing. In so vingmember; 'v j some instances, a subsciler and spreader 66 may 50 Fig. 13 is a detail elevation of the mounting` be cari-led centrally u `der the housing. The member, showing a tool-receiving portion pairs of mounting members 51h, which are next thereof i to the members 51a, are similar thereto, but place Fig. 14 is a detail view of a tool-clamping plate, the tines at a smaller angle to a plane normal to the shaft, as indicated by dotted lines in Flg. 1. 55

One or more pairs of the mounting members 51e are carried on the shaft. beyond the moimting member 51h, the tines mounted on Vthe members dl Fig. 151s a detail view similar to Fig. v'l but with the tools remov In these drawings, 28 designates a gear ho a ing of a soil tiller, the housing beingsupported 5'lc being substantially at right-angles to the' bysuitablemeansincludinganbar 1I. shaft. 'gn

yso

Vmung units may au be identical and the tines 53 may also be identical. However, the tines are readily replaceable by others of various shapes to meet different soil conditions.

In securing each pair of the mounting members on the shaft, the bolt 60 on the key side of the shaft is rst tightened to clamp thekey bef tween the mounting members, and the other bolt is then tightened to clamp these members to the shaft. The clamping bolts also. form means for securing inplace the clamping plates 64 for the springs 55. By loosening the bolts the springs 55 may be replaced when desired.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 6

to 14, each tilling unit or device comprises two pairs of soil-working or cultivating tools |30 yand 3|, the four tools being spaced at equal angular intervals about the shaft. 'I'he tools |30 and |3| 'may be of identical construction and each is here shown in the form of a hooked tine or tooth 53 which has a looped end 54 rmly but detachably mounted in a well known manner on the looped intermediate portion of a coiled spring |55 similar `to the springs 55 of the device. of Fig; 1. Each spring |55y has spaced parallel inner ends or shanks |56 secured Ito a mounting memberLcarried on the shaft. InA the present instance, the mounting members are of a plurality of types, designated |51a and |51c, an'd are arranged in diametrically opposite pairs. Each mounting member, which is preferably a metal casting, has

a channel |58 of generally semi-cylindrical shape to form a seat for the shaft, and has a pair of parallel bores |59 at opposite sides extending transversely of the channel to receive clamping bolts |60 by which a pair of the mounting members are clamped to the shaft in opposed relation. Each pair of mountingv members are held against relative rotation on the shaft by a key- 6| which is seated in the shaft and which flts in groovesor rabbts 62 formed in the mounting members along the edges .of the semi-cylindrical channels |58. Each mounting member has a parallel-sided recess |63 in its outer face to receive and conne against elativerotation a nut |64 for the associated bolt |60, the screw-threaded end of the bolt projecting beyond the nut.

The semi-cylindrical channel |58 of each mounting member has lands |65 at opposite ends which bear von the shaft, the channel being relieved at |66 between the lands, Figs. 10 and 11, and this relieved portion being spaced from the shaft. Each land has bearing portions |61 adjacent to the opposite sides of the channel to engage the shaft and is spaced from the shaft between these bearing portions, Figs. 9 and 1 5. This construction avoids overstressing or cracking of the mounting members when the bolts are tightened and also avoids longitudinal rocking of the mounting members on the shaft. The construction `further eliminates the need for machining the channels. i

The outer face `of each mounting'member is provided with a pair of transversely extending V-grooves |68 to form seats' for the spring ends or shanks |56 of the tools |30 `which are heldV therein by a clamping Vplate |69, the plate having a central opening |10 to receive therethrough and the bolt carrying a. clamping nut |1| for the plate. Each V-groove |68 has spaced lands |12, Fig. 12, at opposite sides of a relieved space |13.` The lands are at opposite sides of a plane parallel to the axis of the shaft and. containing the axis of the associated bolt |60, the lands being about equally spaced from this plane.I

. This relation serves to insure firm clamping of the spring shanks |56 and tominimize bending stresses on the bolt. Furthermore, no machining of the V-grooves is required. Preferably,-

each spring shank has formed thereon, as by welding, a retaining nub or projection |14 to engage the inner edge of the clamping plate |69.

One end face of each mounting member is provided with a pair of transversely extending V-grooves |15 which lie approximately in the same radial planes as the V-grooves |68 and whichform seats for the parallel shanks |56 of the tools |3|. 'Ihe spring shanks are held inv the V-grooves |15 by a clamping plate |16 having a pairofvopenings |11, Fig. 14, to receive therethrough bolts or cap screws |10 which are screw-threaded into tapped holes |18'. in the mounting member at opposite sides of the transversely extending bolt hole |59. Each V-groove `|15 has spaced lands |19, Fig. 13, at opposite sides of a relieved space |80. The lands |19 are spaced about equally at opposite sides of a plane parallel to the axis'of the shaft and containing the axes of the cap screws |18, this plane passing centrally through the clamping plate. 'I'his relation insures rm clamping of the spring ends and minimizes bending stresses on the cap screws. No machining of the V-grooves |15 is required.

l, The mounting members |51a, which are nearest to -the gear housing 28, havetheir V-grooves |68 at different distances from the axis of the shaft, the groove farther from the housing being farther from this axis, as indicated in Fig. 6, to cause the tines 53 of the tools |30 vto project toward and overhang the housing, whereby to till the soil under the housing. The V-grooves |15 ofthe mounting members |51a are similarly arranged at different distances from the shaft axis to tilt the tools |30 toward the housing, but at asmaller angle-with`respect to a plane normal to th'e shaft. The paths of travel of thetines 53 of the tools |30 and |3| are thus ar- .ranged in axially spaced planes normal to the however, the outer ends of the tines of the tools |30 are at one side of al plane normal to the shaft and passing centrally through the mounting members, and the outer ends of the tines of the tools |3| are at the other side of this plane, as indicated in Fig. 6. .'I'he paths of travel of the tines of the tools 30 and 3| are thus arranged in axially spaced planes normaly to the shaft, and this relation is produced without increasing the axiallength of the mounting members. A

In securing each pair of the mounting members' |51a and |51c on the shaft, thel bolt |60 on the key side ofthe sh'aftisjlrst ltightened to clampthe key between thefmounting' members,

lthe nut |64 ,being held againsltrotationby the lopposite side walls of the recess |63. The other bolt is then tightened to clamp the mounting members to the shaft. The springs |55 of the tools |30 are then seated in the grooves |68 of the mounting members and are clamped thereto by the clamping plates |69 and nuts I'II. In a similar manner the springs of the tools |3| are.

clamped to the mounting members by the clamping plates liu' and cap screws |18. The tines 53 of the tools are then hooked onto the springs. As the mounting members of each tool unit are secured to the shaft independently of the tools, the assembling operation is relatively simple and the tools may be individually replaced without disturbing each other or the clamped mounting members.

In the operation of each formof tool unit, the driving or tiller shaft is driven at a suitable speed in the direction indicated by arrows, causing the hooked, self-sharpening, pick-forming tines to venter, break-up and pulveriz'e the soil. Simul-` taneously, the machine moves forward at a low rate of speed.

Machines embodying the tool mountings of the invention are usable not only in agriculture but also for various other purposes, such as mixing construction materials for road building.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a rotary soil tiller, the combinationkwith-l a rotatable soil-working shaft having a key, of a pair of opposed members on said shaft engaging said key between them, and means for clamping said key between said members and for clamping said members on said shaft.

f 2. In a rotary soil tiller, the combination, with a rotatable shaft having a key, of a pair of opposed members on said shaft engaging said key between them, at least one of said members having a groove to receive said key, means for clamping said key between said members and for clamping said members to said shaft, and a soil- Working tool carried by one of said members.

3.' In a rotary soil tiller, the combination, with a rotatable shaft, of a mounting member on said shaft, means including a bolt for clamping said mounting member on said shaft, a soil-working tool, and means including a movable part on said bolt for securing said tool to said mounting member, said part being releasable independently of the rest of said. clamping means to permit detachment of said tool from the clamped mounting member.

4. In a rotary soil tiller, the combination, with a rotatable shaft, of a mounting member on said shaft, means for clamping said mounting member on said shaft, a soil-working tool, and means for detachably clamping said tool to the clamped mounting member, said rst and second clamping means having a part common to both. and said second clamping means having a movablevpart releasable independently of said first clamping means to permit detachment of said tool from the clamped mounting member.

5. In a rotary soil tiller, the combination of a rotatable shaft, a mounting member, means for clamping said mounting member to said shaft, said mounting member having tool seats at its outer side arranged angularly with respect to each other, tools having shanks bearing on said seats, and means for clamping said tool shanks to said seats, said first and second clamping means having a part in common for one of said tools` 6. In a rotary soil tiller, the combination of a -rotatable shaft, a tool-mounting member having a channel to receive said shaft, said channel having shaft-engaging surfaces adjacent to its opposite sides and being spaced from said shaft between said surfaces, and means for clamping said member to said shaft.

7. In a rotary soil tiller, the combination of a rotatable shaft, a tool-mounting member secured to said shaft and having tool seats at the outer side thereof extending transversely of the shaft and at an angle to each other of substantially less than 180, tool elements engaging said seats, and means for clamping said tool elements to said seats.

8. In a rotary soil tiller, the combination of a rotatable shaft, a mounting ,member on said shaft, means for rigidly securing said mounting said tool element to said mounting member in cluding a second nut on said .projecting end lpori tion of said bolt, said second nut being releasable without disturbing said first nut.

9. In a rotary soil tiller, the combination of a rotatable shaft, a pair of opposed mounting members secured to said shaft, and a pair of tool elements secured to the outer side of each mounting member and extending at different angles with respect to a plane normal Ato said shaft to cause the outer ends of said tool elements to travel in axially spaced paths.

10. In a rotary soil tiller, the combination of a rotatable shaft, a pair of opposed mounting members secured to said shaft, and a pair of tool elements secured to the outer side of each mounting member and extending at different angles with respect to a plane normal to said shaft to cause the outer ends of said tool elements to travel in axially spaced paths, theinner end portions of said tool elements being substantially coextensive in an axial direction. I

11. In a rotary soil tiller, the combination of a rotatable shaft, a pair of opposed mounting members secured to said shaft and each having tool seats at its outer side extending transversely of the shaft and of each other, the tool seats of said members being arranged about said shaft at intervals of approximately tool elements adapted to engage said seats, and means for clamping said tool elements to said seats.

12. In a rotary soil tiller, the combination of a rotatable shaft, a mounting member secured to said shaft and having grooves transverse to said shaft, a tool having shanks seated in said grooves, each groove having longitudinally spaced lands to engage the respective tool shank, the groove surfaces between said lands being spaced from said tool shank, and means for clamping said tool shanks in said grooves, the center of clamping pressure on each tool shank being between the lands of the associated groove.

13. In an agricultural machine, the combination of a rotatable shaft, a mounting member secured on said shaft and having-transverse seats at different distances from the axis of said shaft, and a soil-working tool having spaced attaching por.- tions engaging said seats and secured thereto to incline said tool with respect to the shaft axis.

HARRY J. SEAMAN. 

